Rotary hydraulic shock absorber



Feb. 5, 1952 O'C NOR 2,584,221

ROTARY HYDRAULIC SHOCK ABSORBER Filed Dec. 31 1946 2 SHEET S-SHEET l 46 0 1 15 r II 11 6 /5 59 '/4 /2 (H INVENTOR.

Bernard E. OConnor- Feb. 5, 1952 s. E. O'CONNOR ROTARY HYDRAULIC SHOCK ABSORBER Filed Dec. 51, 1946 2 SHEETSSHEET 2 JNVENTpR. Bernard E 06'on710r AN-j 8 5 WZZH/ 0 0 My A w mmwfxw 2 Patented Feb. 5, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT {QFF ROTARY HYDRAULIC "SHOCK ABSORBER ApplicationDeceniber 31, 1946, SefiaI-NOI719l357 8 Claims. (Cl. 188489) The present invention relates to improvements in rotary hydraulic shock absorbers or :dampers of the type in which a shaft is voscillatahle within a housing providing working chambers between which hydraulic Iflui'd is displaced under predetermined resistance to flow as determined iby suitable valve structure.

A shock absorber f the type with which the present invention is concerned comprises an osciliatable wing carrying a "diametrically opposed of Wings :01 wanes which oscillate between abutments ror partitions and with such -abutments or partitions define hydraulic fluid working chambers.

object "of the present invention is to proride a new and :improved hydraulic shock absorber in which the component parts are simple and :easy to make by economical mass production .methods of manufacture, and which parts :may be easily and rapidly assembled with full assursauce that the structure will operate efiiciently :and'aocurately.

Another object of the present invention is to provide ;a hydraulic shock absorber :structure in which the majority =-of parts can be made automatic or semiautomatic machines.

A further object of the :present invention is to provide, in a hydraulic shock absorber of the rotary type, a novel abutment flange member.

ill-he invention has for an additional abject the provision of an improved design of hydraulic shock absorber to facilitate manufacture and assembly.

A still inrther object .of the invention is :to .provide, in .a hydraulic shock absorber of the rotary type, .a .novel abutment .flange member made entirely of plastic material.

Another and yet .further object of the present 'invention is to improve rotary hydraulic .shock absorber construction to eliminate some expensiveprecis'ion machining operations.

The above, other and further objects of the present invention will be apparent .Jfrom .the following description and accompanying drawings.

Embodiments of the present invention are fiillustrat'e'din the accompanying drawings and the v'iewsare as (follows:

Figure '1 is a top plan view of .a rotary hydraulics'hock absorberembodying the .present invention, with the arm for the wing s'ha'it omitted; f

Figure '2 is an enlarged horizontal sectional view taken in the plane of line IL-II olfFigtaken on substantially the broken line iOf figureiz;

Figure 4 is a ztep ED121211 aview -so: armodified form of damper, with the wing shaft arm omitted, and with the 'valve actuating knob broken away to .show certain details of construction;

Figure .5 a horizontal sectional wiew taken :in the plane :of line V-Noi :Figure ii; and

Figure 6 is a composite vertical sectional mew taken substantially :along the line of Fi rure Referring to Figures :1 to +3, inclusive, damper includes ;a housing .or casing :H which comprises a cylindrical wall 11! and an ;integral circular bottom H.

.An abutment flange member is provided having :a circular bottom fl 2 land with two diametrically opposed abutments is rising ifrom the :bot-

tom 12. The bottom is oountenbored at M ;for :aj purpose to .berlater explained. V

Referring to Figure 2 it will be observed {that the outer-races :of the .abutments 43 are arcnate, :confcrming to the -.cur.vatur.e of the (inner surface .9: .the cylindrical wall :HI and fitting snugly thereagainst. Theibottom wall .12 of the member/A isof -such a diameter :as to :fit snuglywith-in the housing H and rests on the bottom .l-l. ZIIhe inner faces of the abutments .43 are arcuate horizontal :section, and are diametrically spaced to receive between them a wing shaft-as will be more fully explained. The opposite ;side surfaces of the abutments are curved, arcuately, with the inner faces of the abutments marrower than the outer faces, a construction well .known in the .art.

The periphery of the ;bottom 1-2 @of the abutment flange ,member A is ,grooyed at 4.5 to receiyezaringgasket L6. 7

J Jhe inner surface :of :the wall 10 i counter-- bored at el -lio ;provide a :ledge it the plane of which is at right angles .to the .axis of the hous ing. The ledge l-8,i.s iormed the Wall to and coincident with :the upper .ends of the .abutments .I-3.

A wing shaft Wis provided with-two diametrically opposite wanes .or wings b9 which extend radially to contact the inner surface -.of the icy- .lindrical wall ll] .of the housing. The length .of the vanes .l9 is such as to extend .Irom ithezupper face 12B .of the bottom 12 .of the abutment .fiange member Aand toa commongplane with thenpper ends of the abutments 1.3 .and .in register with the plane .of the ledge .l B of Ithelcounterbore J1;

A olosingfiange'hzember or intermediate Ewall Figure 3 is a composite yertical sectional-view .55 member Biis io ifmediwith a. cylindricalbafi? 2| and an axially extending hub portion 22, the outer diameter of which is less than the diameter of the base 2|, as may be observed in Figure 3. The intermediate wall member B is axially bored at 23 to receive the wing shaft W. The intermediate wall member B is inserted in the housing 1-1 after the abutment flange member A has been installed, with th margin of the lower surface of the cylindrical base 2| resting on the ledge H! of counterbore I! in the housing. The lower surface of the base 2| of the intermediate wall member B, therefore, rests on the upper ends of the abutments l3 and the upper edges of the vanes l9 are in close surface contact.

The periphery of the base portion 2| of the intermediate wall B is formed with a groove 24 to receive a suitable packing 25 to prevent the escape of hydraulic fluid past the periphery of the intermediate wall member. Above the counterbore I! the interior of the housing H is formed closure member C to the housing I-I.

For introduction of hydraulic fluid into the unit, the flange 29 of the cover member C is provided with a laterally extending filling port 32! normally closed by a screw plug 3|.

Referring to Figure 3, it will benoted that the closure member and the intermediate Wall member B are so formed and related as to provide a reservoir space S between them which constitutes a replenishing chamber, when the parts are assembled and in operative relation.

The base 2| of the intermediate wall member B isprovided with passageways 32 therethrough. The passageways 32 are controlled by check valves 33, and afford flow communication of hydraulic fluid from the replenishing chamber S into the working chambers below the intermediate wall member B. When the working chambers are under compression the check valves will close the passageways, when the chambers are under suction hydraulic'fluid will be drawn from the replenishing chamber S into the workingchambers to compensate for any loss of fluid from the chambers.

Referring to Figure 2 it will be noted that the disposition of the abutments l3 and the relation of the vanes I9 is such as to define four workin chambers 34, 35, 36 and 31.

Diametrically through the wing shaft W is a cross bore 38 affording flow communication between the chambers 34 and 36. Also through the '"wing shaft W is another cross bore 39, below the cross bore 38, to afford flow communication between the working chambers 35 and 31.

Axially of the wing shaft W is a bore 40, opening through the upper end of the shaft and terits lower end tapered at 46 as a valve for engaging the seat 4| to close passageway through it under certain conditions.

Intermediate the ends of the needle valve member 45 is a threaded enlargement 4! in threaded engagement with the bore 43 to adjust the needle valve member endwise as it is rotated in the bore.

An apertured plug or packing gland member 48 is threaded into the upper end of the bore 44.

V The plug has a bore through it to receive the needle valve member 45. Suitable packing means 49 is inserted between the inner end of the plug 48 and the shoulder formed at the junction of the bores 43 and 44, as may be observed in Figure 3. The plug 48 is screwed into the bore 44 to compress the packing 49 to prevent hydraulic fluid escape from around the needle valve 45 out through the upper end of the wing shaft W.

The upper end of the needle valve member 45 is provided with a head 5|], which may be polygonal or otherwise, whereby the needle valve may be rotated to adjust flow of hydraulic fluid through the wing shaft W.

Referring to Figure 3 it will be observed that the cross bore 38 through the wing shaft W communicates with the bore 40 in the shaft immediately above the valve seat 4|, and that the other cross bore. 39 communicates with the bore 42 below the valve seat.

The upper end of the wing shaft W is provided with a plurality of flutes 5| whereby an arm may be connected to the shaft in a manner to prevent relative rotative movement between them and whereby the shaft may be oscillated in service.

The upper end of the hub 22 of the intermediate wall member 3 is countersunk at 52. The central portion of the top 28 of the closure member C is apertured to receive the wing shaft W and with the margins of the top defining the aperture conically offset as at 53.

Surrounding the wing shaft W is a spring retainer ring 54 having its central portion 55 deflected substantially complementary to V the countersunk portion 52 of the hub .22, as may be observed in Figure 3. Between the deflected portion 55 of the spring retainer ring and the offset portion 53 of the top of the closure member B is a packing ring 56 which may be of trapezoidal form in cross section. v

Surrounding the hub 22 of the intermediate wall member B is a spring 51 at one end resting on the upper surface of the bottom 2| of the intermediate wall B and at its upper end against the marginal portion of the spring retaining ring 54. The spring normally acts to move the spring retaining ring upwardly, as viewed in Figure 3, i. e., away from the base 2l v Interposed between the inner margin of the flange 29 of the closure member B and the upper surface of the base 2| of the intermediate wall member B is an angle washer 58 which may be observed in Figure 3.

In order to prevent relative rotative movement between the abutment flange member A and the housing I-I pins 59 are inserted throu h registering apertures and sockets in the bottom II of the housing and the abutments [3, respectively.

In order to prevent relative rotative movement between the intermediate wall member B andthe housing dowel pins 60 are inserted in registering sockets in the upper ends of the abutment l3 and A the lower surface of the base 2| of the intermediate wall member, as

ure 3. r v

To assemble the structure as shown in Figure also may be observed in Fig- "integral bottom wall 55, I 1 member A" is ror'mea with a bottom wan to and wing shaft W is'io greater oiaineter within the .s axial extent ottheiy gngsea; 7

names:

3, the abutment flan'ge member A is inserted in the open end of the housing and is pinned by insertion of the pins 59. It is to be understood that prior to such imehtion the gasket 1 6 has been applied in the groove [5. a

Next the wing shaft 'W is applied with the Wings "[9 arranged between the abutment 1 3 as shown Figure '2. Dowel pins 50 are inserted in the apertures in the abutments' l 3. The check valves 33 are held in the passages 32 while the intermediate w'a-i-l member B is inserted with the apertures in the base 2! receiving the dowel pins $8, to thus angular-1 arrange the intermediate Wall member in the housing. The angular arrangement of the intermediate wall ineniber B is i a to position the passages {32 and check valves 33 over one end of one of the abiitments l 3-,-asii1a7 be :noted'inrigure 1.

Nii t, the angle washer 53 is applied. spring 51 is then applied around the hub 22 an t-he spring retaining ring 54 applied atop the spring. The closure member C with the packir'ig washer "ring 515 is then applied with its flang'e engaging threads 2! of the heiisi'n'g, whereu on the closure member is rotated to screw the closure member down into tight engagement against the flan ge of the intermediate wall member 13. Such movement of the closure member C holds the base 2 of the inter-mediate wall member against the ledge 48 and in surface contact '-with the same time "compress the packing ring 56 and Because of the manner of engagement of the packing ring 156 by the s ring retaining ring 5 and the offset portion 53 of the'cover the packing ring will be compressed axial-1y and radially. The axial compression serves to make a fluid tight "join-t about the wing shaft W to prevent escape of fluid through the top portion ze f the cover.

The cover or closure member C is provided, at circuin'ferentially spaced intervals with shoulders or notches 6| whereby a suitable toolfmay be applied to the closure membe'r to tightly thread it the housing.

'The housing may be provided with a plurality of apertured lu'g-s 62 and 63', at its bottom and top re'speetively, providing means whereby the damper may be suitably attached to one of two relatively movable parts, as, for example, in a helicopter rotor assembly "for damping movement of th'e'ro'tor blades.

It will be noted from Figure 3 that the wing shaft W is "of uniform diameter end to end, and its I 1ower end is entered in the 'counterbore "f4 in theb'ottom T2 of member A.

iheferring to Figures 4, and 6 there is shown amo'dified embodiment of the inventioninclud'ing a housing H having a cyIindrioaI wall 64 and an AD" abutment f fiafi'ge upstandmg diametrioaliy'opposed abutmerfts "6?.

A Wing shaft W is provided with two diametrically opposed vanes or'wings '68'wh'i'ch co-operate "with abutments 81 "to define four hydraulic fluid working chambers 68, Hi, "II and 12.

The bottom "66 of theabutmentfiange'member' A" is axially recessed or couhterbored at T3 to receive the reduced lower end 14 0"}? the wing shaft It wm'be noted from Figure 6 that-the p "The interior of the cylindrical wall $4 is cormte'rbohed at 15 to provide a ledge '16 in register with the upper ends of the abatment 6! and the upper edges of the vanes 68.

The abutment 'flange member A" is provided with a groove 11 at its periphery to receive a paek in'g ring 1-8.

The abutment flange member A" is secured against relative rotative movement with respect to the housing H by means of pins 19 entered through registering apertures and sockets in the bottom 65 ofth'e housingand 'the'abutment'flange member A, "as illustrated in Fi-gure '6.

intermediate wall member B is provided with a cylindrical base and a hub portion '8! or less diameter than the base, extending from one surfaceof "the base.

After the abutment flange mem'ber A has been applied and pinned, and the wing shaft-W has been inserted in the housing, the intermediate wail member 13" is inserted, the margin of its lower face -resting on the ledge 15 and against the-upper ends of the abutments 61 and iihe upper edges of the vanes 68.

Relative 'rota'ti've movement of the intermediate wall ineinber 'B' with respect to "the abutment flange member A" is preventedby dowel pins 82 entered in registering sockets in the upper ends of "the abutment members '61 and the lower surface 'of the base 80 of the intermediate Wall "member. v

Above the counterbo-re Tithe-casing is counterbore'dat 83 and internally threaded. Above the threaded oounterbore '83 is another 'counte'rbore 8 1, of greater diameter, the inner "surface of which is plain.

The base 80 of the intermediate wall member B is provided with passageway-s 85 in which are oheckvalves 8t.

A cover or closure member C isiOrmed as a casting, with atop 81 and a fiange ail. Adjacent its lower end the flange 88 is threaded "to engage the threaded counterbore 83 of the housing to connect the closure member "to the housing. Formed in the closure member C adjacent its top 8"! is a peripheral groove '89 in which is a packin'g'ring 90 to'engage the-plain inner surface of the cylinder bore 84 when the-closure member is in place.

It will be noted that the construction and arrangement of the closure member C and the in- 'terme'diate wall member 3'' is such as to form a replenishment chamber S so that the Working chambers 69, Hi, II and 12 may be at all times completely-filled with a hydraulic fluid.

Referring to Figure 6, what is there shown as the upper end of the hub 8'! its-countersunk a't'EH. spring retaining ring 92 which is flat except for a centrally deflected portion 93 is arranged with its deflected portion within the countersunk portion 9! of the hub. Between the-cylindrical base 811 of the intermediate wall member 33' and the spring retainer plate or ring '92 is a spring 95 whose-tunctionis to urge'the springretaining ring 92 awa from the base 80 of theintermediat'ewall portion B.

The central portion of the top 81 of the closure member C is c'oncavely relieved at 95 to form a countersunk portion. A packing ring 96 earrounds the wing shaft W between the deflected portion 93 of the spring retaining "ring s2 and the-countersunk portion 95 of the closure mem- :berC; r f

As the-closure member G is screwed into the 75 nptperend of the housing-H the pack-ing ring 96 in service.

is compressed radially and axially to form a seal about the wing shaft W against the fluid escaping through the closure member The packing ring 96 seals the peripheral portion of the closure member C against the upper margin of the housing H so that when the closure member is tight, the housing is sealed against escape of fluid from its interior.

The upper surface of the top 8! ofthe closure member C is provided with depressions 91 into which a tool may be inserted to rotate the closure member C with respect to the housing H.

In the form of the invention shown in Figures 4 to 6, the housing is provided with integral flanges 98 which are apertured to receive bolts or other suitable instrumentalities for securing the housing to one of two relatively movable parts when installed for use.

Referring to Figure 6 the wall of the housing H is apertured near its top at I00 as a filler opening for supplying the replenishment chamber S with hydraulic fluid. The opening is normally closed by a plug ml. The outer periphery of the flange 88 of the closure C is formed with a groove [32 in register with the hole I00. Thev flange has aperture means 183 through which the fluid may be supplied to the chamber S.

It will be observed that in both forms of the invention disclosed the abutments are integral with a member which also provides the bearing for the inner end of the wing shaft. In a sense the abutment member forms a secondary bottom for the unit which substantially reinforces the same to resist strong internal hydraulic pressures Moreover certain machining problems during manufacture are advantageously simplified. I

The abutment flange members A and A: and the closing flange or intermediate wall members B and B are made of suitable plastic material formed by molding.

It will, of course, be understood that various details of construction may be varied through a wide range without departing from the principles of this invention, and it is, therefore, not the purpose to limit the patent granted hereon otherwise than necessitated by the scope of the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a hydraulic shock absorber device of the rotary type, including in combination, a. cupshaped housing comprising a bottom wall and a cylindrical wall; an abutment flange member comprising a bottom and integral abutments rising therefrom disposed within saidhousing with the bottom of said flange member against the bottom of the housing; means for preventing relative rotative movement of said abutment flange member and said housing; the inner surface ofsaid cylindrical wall being provided with an annular ledge with its horizontal surface in register with the upper ends of said abutments; an intermediate wall member seated on said ledge and against the ends of said abutments to retain said abutment flange member in axial position in said housing; said intermediate wall member being centrally bored; a wing shaft extending through said bore and having wings thereon with their upper and lower edges in contact with said intermediate wall member and said abutment flange member bottom, respectively; a cover member removably connected to said housing and in contact with said intermediate wall member to hold the latter against said led e and said abutments; and-means for pre-;

, venting relative rotative movement between said intermediate wall member and said abutment flange member.

2. In a hydraulic shock absorber device of the rotary type, including in combination, a housing comprising a bottom wall and a cylindrical wall, an abutment flange member comprising a bottom and integral abutments rising therefrom disposed within said housing with the bottom of said flange member against the bottom of said housing, the inner surface of said cylindrical wall being provided with, an annular ledge with its horizontal surface in register with the upper ends of said abutments, an intermediate wall member seated on said ledge and against the upper ends of said abutments, and a cover member threaded into said cylindrical wall and in contact with said intermediate wall member to hold the latter on said ledge and against said abutments.

3. In a shock absorber device of the rotary type, including in combination, a cup-shaped housing comprising a flat bottom and a cylindrical wall, an abutment flange member comprising a bottom and integral abutments rising therefrom disposed within said housing with the bottom of said flange member against the bottom of said housing, the inner surface of said cylindrical wall being provided with an annular ledge with its horizontal surface in register with the upper ends of said abutments, an intermediate wall member seated on said ledge and against said abutments to retain said abutment flange member in place in said housing, said intermediate wall member being formed with a circular base and a hub of less diameter projecting from one surface of said base, a cover member threadedly connected to said cylindrical wall I and having a generally cylindrical flange in endwise contact with said intermediate wall member to hold the latter on said ledge and against said abutments, the interior of said cover member being spaced from said intermediate wall-member to provide therewith a fluid replenishing chamber, the base portion of said intermediate wall member having fluid passageway through it in communication with said replenishing chamber, check valve means in said passageway, means available through the cylindrical wall of said device and through said cylindrical flange for supplying fluid to said replenishing chamber and means for preventing fluid leakage from the casing past said cover member flange.

4. In a hydraulic shock absorber of the rotary type, a cylindrical cup-shaped housing, a separate abutment flange member disposed within said housing in relative non-rotative relation, said abutment flange member comprising a bottom resting against the bottom of the cup-shaped housing and two integral upstanding abutments to divide the housing interior into two fluid chambers, a wing shaft within said housing having two integral diametrically opposed vanes with a vane in each chamber and with the top edges of the vanes in register with the upper ends of the abutments, a ledge on the inner cylindrical wall of the housing at substantially the level of said upper ends of the vanes, and an intermediate wall member within said housing having bearing engagement with the upper ends of the abutments and the top edges of the vanes and having its margin on said ledge, and a closure rotary type, including in combination, a cupshaped housing comprising a bottom wall and a cylindrical wall; an abutment flange member formed entirely of molded plastic material comprising a bottom, and integral abutments rising therefrom disposed within said housing with the bottom of said flange member against the bottom of the housing; means for preventing relative rotative movement of said abutment flange member and said housing; the inner surface of said cylindrical wall being provided with an annular ledge with its horizontal surface in register with the upper ends of said abutments and with a wall flange rising substantially above said ledge; an intermediate wall member formed entirely of molded plastic material having its edge encompassed by said wall flange and seated on said ledge and against the ends of said abutments to retain said abutment flange member in axial position in said housing; said intermediate Wall member having a bearing passageway through it; a wing shaft extending through said passageway and having wings thereon with their upper and lower edges in contact with said intermediate wall member and said abutment flange member bottom, respectively; a cover member removably connected to said housing and having a portion extending down into said wall flange and in contact with said intermediate wall member to hold the latter against said ledge and said abutments; and means for preventing relative rotative movement between said intermediate wall member and said abutment flange member.

6. A hydraulic shock absorber device of the rotary type, including in combination, a metallic housing comprising a bottom'wall and a cylindrical wall, an abutment flange member formed entirely of molded plastic material comprising a bottom and integral abutments rising therefrom disposed within said housing with the bottom of said flange member against the bottom of said housing, the inner surface of said cylindrical wall being provided with an upwardly facing annular ledge with its horizontal surface in register with the upper ends of said abutments and an upwardly extending annular flange about said ledge, an intermediate wall member formed entirely of molded plastic material seated on said ledge and against the upper ends of said abutments and with its edge surrounded by said flange, and a cover member threadedly connected to said cylindrical wall and in contact with said intermediate wall member to hold the latter on said ledge and against said abutments.

7. In combination in a hydraulic shock absorber of the rotary type, a metallic cylindrical housing of generally cup-shape, a separate abutment flange member formed entirely of molded plastic material comprising a bottom and integral diametrically opposite abutments rising from said bottom, said abutment flange member being disposed within said housing with said bottom on the bottom of the housing and fixed in relative non-rotative relation, a wing shaft withing said housing having two integral diametrically opposed vanes and cooperating with said abutments to divide the interior of the housing into a plurality of hydraulic fluid chambers, said abutments and said vanes having the top edges thereof in a common plane, said housing having an internal upwardly facing ledge disposed in said common plane and disposed substantially below the top of the outer end portion of the housing, an intermediate wall member formed entirely of molded plastic material disposed within said housing and resting against said ledge in said plane, means connecting said intermediate wall non-rotatably to the abutments, and a generally cup-shaped closure member secured within the outer end portion of said housing above said ledge and clamping said intermediate wall member against said ledge, said intermediate wall member and said closure member having coaxial openings therethrough for passage of the wing shaft outwardly beyond said vanes.

8. In combination in a hydraulic shock absorber of the rotary type, a metallic cylindrical housing of generally cup-shape, a separate abutment flange member formed entirely of molded plastic material comprising a bottom and integral diametrically opposite abutments rising from said bottom, said abutment flange member being disposed within said housing with said bottom on the bottom of the housing and fixed in relative non-rotative relation, a wing shaft within said housing having two integral diametrically opposed vanes and cooperating with said abutments to divide the interior of the housing into a plurality of hydraulic fluid chambers, said abutments and said vanes having the top edges thereof in a common plane, said housing having an internal upwardly facing ledge disposed in said common plane, an intermediate wall member formed entirely of molded plastic material disposed within said housing and resting against said ledge in said plane, and a generally cupshaped closure member secured within the outer end of said housing and clamping said intermediate wall member against said ledge, said intermediate wall member and said closure member having coaxial openings therethrough for passage of the wing shaft outwardly beyond said vanes, said housing having an enlarged diameter counterbore outwardly of said ledge and said closure member having threaded interengagement with said housing in said counterbore.

BERNARD E. O'CONNOR.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS v c Number Name Date 1,269,519 Benecke June 11, 1918 1,799,310 Kilgore Jan. 27, 1931 1,910,049 Peo May 23, 1933 1,920,273 Peo Aug. 1, 1933 2,021,428 Peo Nov. 19, 1935 2,263,640 Murrill Nov. 25, 1941 2,298,396 Magrum Oct. 13, 1942 2,409,505 Magrum Oct. 15, 1946 

